‘Fighting For Justice’: Black Mom Who Lost Family In Duck Boat Tragedy Reacts to Indictment

Tia Coleman praised the prosecutor for demanding accountability for the tragedy.

An African-American woman who lost nine family members when a tourist boat sank on a Missouri lake in July expressed hope Thursday after learning the captain of the ship had been indicted. Tia Coleman’s husband, three young children and five other family members were among the 17 people killed when a duck boat sank when waves flooded the craft during a storm in Branson.

The charges brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office against Kenneth Scott McKee included 17 counts of misconduct, negligence or inattention to duty by a ship’s officer resulting in death, the Associated Press reported.

“While nothing can ever ease the grief in my heart, I am grateful that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is fighting for justice for my family, and the other victims, and is committed to holding fully accountable all those responsible for this tragedy,” said Coleman, who was visiting from Indiana and was among just 14 survivors.

McKee’s negligence included failing to tell passengers to put on personal floatation devices and not increasing his speed right away to reach land, the indictment said. He also blocked the exits by allowing the boat’s plastic side curtains to be lowered.

Coleman was one of several plaintiffs who filed lawsuits on behalf of the victims and survivors. They were suing Ripley Entertainment, the company that operated the boats, as well as other companies involved in manufacturing and operating the vessels.

If convicted, McKee could face up to 10 years in prison for each count and a fine of $250,000.

Another one bites the orange dust. Jeff Sessions has "resigned" as Attorney General, which many believe is a sign to remove Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading the Russia investigation. Now that the Democrats have taken back the House, Trump is clearly disturbed about the investigation, which many hope will take down his presidency.
In Sessions' resignation letter he claims to have resigned, but it is clear he was fired by 45. See the letter below:
https://twitter.com/GaryGrumbach/status/1060260037023711236
Sessions replacement is Matthew G. Whitaker who is known to be a serious conservative.
https://twitter.com/mitchellvii/status/1060261877677281280
While this could be a sign of more obstruction from Trump, for now, Twitter is ecstatic that Sessions, who Coretta Scott King said in 1986 "used the awesome powers of his office in a shabby attempt to intimidate and frighten elderly Black voters," is out. See the reactions below: